Tuesday, December 8, 2009

Help out by snowshoeing and skiing!

If you are thinking about going up on the 'Canada Bonita' trails (see map under The Trail section on http://swnordicski.org/) on your backcountry skis or snowshoes this week, please consider making your own tracks (vs following in existing ones) to stomp out as much of the full width of the trail as possible - it will really help the groomers get the machines up there after the storm to make nice skate and classic ski lanes!

If it has NOT been groomed (ie no machine tracks of any kind) its actually helpful to snowshoe on the upper trails too despite the signs. The signs that say not to are only meant for when its groomed. So this is a good chance to get on the upper trail before the grooming closes access to anything but skis. 'Upper' trail is the trail that goes left at the first fork on the map (point A). You will see signs telling you not to snowshoe/hike/bring dogs on it when you are there.

Also, Paul, Dave, Tom and Donna made record time before this snowfall to create a brand new snowshoe specific (no machines on it!) trail off of main trail! Current info on it here. We are hoping to post official 'Snowshoe trail' signs in the next week on it. More info, map and photos to be posted soon on the swnordicski.org site.
The county has started a snowshoe rental and learning program. We will post links to it on http://swnordicski.org/ along with snowshoe trail info shortly.

Btw, the trail will be called Paul's Portal after our own Paul Graham since he was the one to find the best path while working with Tom and Donna. That path also luckily required less deadfall clearing than was originally expected. Dave W worked hard most of Sunday to clear the deadfall from the trail! Made for a brand new trail in about 2 days! Although more work to still be done with signs etc.

Come out an enjoy the snow and thanks for helping to stomp the snow out for the groomers!